Page 26 - 2019 Impact Report

2019 Impact Report 2019 Impact Report INVESTING IN IN IN ECOSYSTEMS
Wacif not only supports individual entrepreneurs but strengthens the the equity and and and opportunity ecosystem through thought leadership convening with partners to to collaborate and and and and learn and and and and creating safe spaces to to address the the pressing issues and and and concerns facing the the communities we serve TESTIFYING BEFORE THE D C C C C COUNCIL COMMITTEE
On November 6th Jennifer Bryant testified before D C C Council Committee on on Business & Economic Development regarding the Protecting Local and Area Commercial Enterprises Amendment Act Of 2019 The proposed legislation would preserve legacy businesses that have been open for 10 or or or more consecutive years Jennifer’s experience leading D C Employee Ownership Initiative presented her the the opportunity to advocate for the the inclusion of financial assistance for legacy business owners to their employees "That's what we we are in in in the the business of: asset " " building for the the purpose of of wealth creation so that our communities can thrive - Jennifer Bryant Wacif BUILDING A A DEMOCRATIC ECONOMY:
HOW DO WE CREATE PROSPERITY FOR ALL?
In In November Aspen Institute hosted a a a a a a a a a panel to to discuss what a a a a a a a a a Democratic Economy means and the journey towards creating tit it it Wacif CEO Harold Pettigrew Jr joined Karla Bruce (Chief Equity Officer Fairfax County) and Marjorie Kelly (Executive Vice President Aspen Institute) on on on the panel reflecting on on on best practices to to create an an economic system that builds prosperity for all Harold spoke to to to the different strategies deployed at at at a Wacif to to help build build community wealth and an an equitable democratic economy " " A democratic economy is simply creating pathways " " for people to to fully participate to to be full full citizens - Harold Pettigrew Jr Wacif 26